The Gut Health Podcast
The Gut Health Podcast explores the scientific connection between the gut, food, mood, microbes and well-being. Kate Scarlata is a world-renowned GI dietitian and Dr. Megan Riehl is a prominent GI psychologist at the University of Michigan and both are the co-authors of Mind Your Gut: The Science-based, Whole-body Guide to Living Well with IBS. Their unique lens with which they approach holistic conversations with leading experts in the field of gastroenterology will appeal to the millions of individuals impacted by gut health. As leaders in their field, Kate and Megan dynamically plow through the common myths surrounding gut health and share evidence-backed information on navigating medical management, nutrition, behavioral interventions and more for those living with or without a GI condition. The Gut Health Podcast is where science, expertise, and two enthusiastic advocates for wellness come together to help you live your best life. Learn more about Kate and Megan at www.katescarlata.com and www.drriehl.com Instagram: @Theguthealthpodcast
Episodes
This year on The Gut Health Podcast, we dug deeper than ever into the science that shapes our bodies, the myths that confuse us, and the everyday habits that actually move the needle. We challenged probiotic controversies, rethought alcohol culture, explored resilience from gravity to mindset, and turned stress management into practical, usable skills. We broached the topic of vagus nerve stimulation and the potential role of psych...
A growing number of patients with stubborn IBS symptoms are asking: if the gut and brain are wired together, could changing one transform the other? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Emeran Mayer and Dr. Erin Mauney to explore what the emerging field of psychedelic-assisted therapy could mean for gut-brain health, beyond the headlines and hype.
In this episode we cover:
- Why traditional IBS treatments often fall short.
- How psi...
Dr. Brennan Spiegel, author of Pull: How Gravity Shapes Your Body, Steadies the Mind, and Guides Our Health, reveals how gravity shapes everything from our digestive health to our emotional wellbeing in this fascinating exploration of "biogravitational medicine." He presents the revolutionary concept that conditions like IBS and depression may be tied to how well our body resists gravity.
• Gravity resilience refers to how...
Dr. Mary Ellen Sanders, an expert in probiotic microbiology, helps us decode the often confusing world of probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics by explaining their scientific definitions, evidence-based benefits, and practical applications for gut health (and beyond).
This episode has been sponsored by Activia.
• Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts
• For so...
Dr. Mark Pimentel, Executive Director of the MAST program at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, shares groundbreaking insights into the small intestinal microbiome that challenge long-held beliefs about gut bacteria. Findings from his team’s REIMAGINE study reveal that the small intestine is far from sterile, as previously thought—instead, it harbors substantial bacterial communities that play a critical role in health and disease, espec...
Dr. Iris Wang of the Mayo Clinic shares cutting-edge insights on gut health across the lifespan, including advancements in pharmacogenomics for personalized medication selection and innovative breathing techniques to relieve abdominal distension. She busts common myths about bloating, revealing how diaphragmatic dysfunction rather than excess gas may be the culprit. Dr. Wang also emphasizes the importance of starting gut health edu...
Fermented foods offer surprising health benefits with science showing they can increase gut microbial diversity in ways other dietary interventions cannot.
• Expert Elisa Caffrey clarifies what qualifies as fermented food: substrate + microbes + time
• While touted as a source of probiotics, most fermented foods don't technically contain probiotics, which require specific strain characterization and known health b...
Pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) is a crucial yet often overlooked component of gut health that can dramatically improve quality of life for people suffering from bowel issues, bladder problems, or pelvic pain. Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas joins us to demystify and normalize this specialized therapy and explain how proper pelvic floor function impacts everything from constipation to sexual health.
• Understand that daily ...
Join us as we discuss effective non-diet focused methods for IBS relief. In this episode, Kate and Dr. Riehl review key factors on how gender can influence common symptoms of IBS.
Hormones significantly influence IBS symptoms, with women being diagnosed 2.5 times more often than men, in part due to differences in gut function and pain perception.
This episode features the following key discussion areas:
• Women's fluct...
Is "leaky gut" real or just another wellness buzzword? In this episode of The Gut Health Podcast, we cut through the controversy with Dr. Alessio Fasano, a renowned gastroenterologist and microbiome expert from Mass General Brigham. Dr. Fasano explains what happens when the gut’s protective barrier is compromised, resulting in increased intestinal permeability, and how this can affect not only gut health but also overall ...
What if you could navigate the complexities of IBS without falling into restrictive habits or feeling overwhelmed? Join us for an insightful conversation with Erin Judge, a registered dietitian nutritionist as she shares her compelling journey from childhood challenges with IBS-C to becoming an advocate for patient-centered care. Erin opens up about her early experiences with gastrointestinal issues, exacerbated by a Giardia infect...
Join Dr. Riehl and Kate as they share practical lifestyle strategies for managing IBS with constipation. Studies show that up to 84% of IBS patients experience GI distress related to eating, with most triggers linked to carbohydrate intake—particularly highly fermentable ones like FODMAPs. Learn how the low FODMAP diet, the most extensively researched dietary approach for IBS, stacks up against traditional therapies and medications...
This episode launches the first part of a 3-part mini-series on IBS-C, shedding light on the complexities of this widespread condition that affects millions of people across the U.S. It stresses the importance of a holistic, patient-centered approach to managing IBS-C. We explore the various medications used to treat IBS-C, including both over-the-counter options and prescription drugs, offering a comprehensive review. Our expert g...
Can technology transform the way we approach health and healing? In this episode, we explore the intersection of neuroscience, innovation, and the mind-body connection with Dr. Brennan Spiegel from Cedars-Sinai. Dr. Spiegel challenges the long-standing myth that the mind and body function separately, revealing how our thoughts, emotions, and physiological responses are deeply intertwined.
We take a deep dive into alternative therapi...
Can drinking alcohol truly offer any health benefits, or is that just a myth we’re eager to believe? In this episode, we aim to inspire a renewed commitment to wellness in the new year with our guest, Dr. Ponni Perumalswami, a prominent hepatologist at the University of Michigan, who helps us unravel the complicated relationship between alcohol, the gut, and liver health. With her expertise, we tackle common misconceptions and expl...
Did you know that a balanced gut microbiome can improve nutrient absorption, reduce inflammation, and support mood regulation? Incorporating simple habits into your daily routine—such as eating fiber-rich foods, staying hydrated, restful sleep and managing stress—can make a significant difference in how your digestive system works and gut microbiota function. Join Kate Scarlata and Dr. Megan Riehl on this must-listen episode of The...
Discover the intricate world of celiac disease with insights from two esteemed GI dietitian experts, Nick Trott of the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, England and Lori Welstead, from the University of Chicago Medicine. Within minutes of this episode beginning, you learn that a celiac diagnosis can happen in the absence of noticeable GI symptoms and that it is possible to find great delicious gluten-free meals outside your ...
Sleep isn’t a luxury—it’s essential. In this episode, we’re exploring the critical connection between sleep, gut health and overall well-being, backed by cutting-edge research. Join us as we welcome Dr. Cathy Goldstein, a renowned professor of neurology at Michigan Medicine and an expert in sleep disorders. Ever wondered why melatonin supplements might not be the solution to insomnia? Dr. Goldstein is here to debunk that myth and h...
Experience runner's trots, belly cramping, and/or heartburn and reflux while exercising? You are not alone! Join us in our latest episode featuring the expert insights of Leslie Bonci, a renowned sports dietitian who has worked with top-tier teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers. Discover why less is often more when it comes to fueling during exercise. Leslie breaks down the myths surrounding fueling for e...
Not one of us are completely immune to an occasional episode of diarrhea. Whether you can trace it back to something you ate or an uptick in stress, liquid poop is not ideal. Kate and Megan are joined by a giant in the field of gastroenterology, Dr. Jessica Allegretti from Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts to do a deep dive discussion into diarrhea.
Together, they discuss the various causes of d...
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